Thousands Of Weapons Handed In During National Firearms Amnesty

Australia's first National Firearms Amnesty is underway, with reports that nearly 15,000 weapons and related material have been handed in so far.

The amnesty runs from July 1 to September 30, and means that anyone can hand in unregistered firearms or such items for registration or get rid of the gear at approved drop off points without penalty or prosecution.

A police spokesperson told Triple M that so far in NSW, nearly 7,000 firearms had been handed in.

It is against the law to have an unregistered firearm. If caught with an unregistered firearm outside of the amnesty period, a penalty of 14 years imprisonment, a criminal record and a fine up to $280,000 could be imposed.